Business

Triangle companies raised $163.5 million in the fourth quarter, about 60% more than the amount raised in the prior three quarters combined. Two Durham-based companies, Viamet Pharmaceuticals and Phononic Devices, led a group of 13 companies, raising $60 million and $44.5 million respectively.

The owner of the former Pilot Life insurance campus in Greensboro's Sedgefield neighborhood wants to partner with other developers on a mixed-use community that would blend residential and commercial projects, possibly including a hotel, at the 142-acre site.

Sealed Air, which is relocating its headquarters and 1,300 jobs from New Jersey, will build a new campus in southwest Charlotte. Construction on the complex, which will include three buildings, should be complete by the end of 2016. Childress Klein will develop the project and architect HOK will handle design and engineering.

Concord Hospitality Enterprises and Kane Realty will develop a 133-room AC Hotel at Raleigh's North Hills. It's the third hotel the Raleigh-based companies have partnered on at North Hills. The hotel is expected to open next year.

New York-based Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility is withdrawing its request that Bank of America allow its shareholders to vote on whether chairman and CEO roles should be combined. The Charlotte-based bank agreed to produce a report on its business standards in exchange for the group withdrawing its proposal.

Chiquita Brands International will close its Charlotte headquarters, affecting about 320 workers. The produce company was acquired earlier this month by by two Brazilian companies for about $681 million. In a letter to employees, the company said it will transition operations over the next 12 to 18 months to "be closer to our customers and operations." Related: Chiquita's early exit raises incentives questions

Changing its previous recommendation, Institutional Shareholder Services advised shareholders of Family Dollar Stores to vote in favor of an $8.5 billion deal with Chesapeake, Va.-based Dollar Tree. The advisory group had previously said shareholders should delay the vote on the Dollar Tree deal to learn more about a competing bid from rival Dollar General.

Raleigh-based Kane Realty filed a rezoning request for a 2.5-acre site in Raleigh's warehouse district currently owned by Dillon Supply. The North Hills developer is looking to redevelop the site into offices, apartments and retail shops. The property is located opposite Citrix's new regional headquarters, which was acquired last month by a New York real-estate firm for $68.5 million.